Page 11 of Harmony Island Gazette
“Listen, Juniper, I know you’re still mad at me and Dad for bringing Boone on.” She turned to face me. “But we’re really just worried about you, and we want to make sure you are safe.”
My gaze drifted back over to the living room before I focused back on Mom.
“I just hope someday you’ll understand and forgive us for hiring him.”
I raised my hand, hoping that was all it was going to take to stop my mom from continuing. Thankfully, she understood and pinched her lips together.
“Listen, Mom, it’s okay. Boone is growing on me. Plus, it’ll be nice to have some help while you’re gone.” I gave her a soft smile. “Go take care of Aunt Christi, and we’ll take care of things here.”
She studied me before she let out her breath. I could see the tears brimming in her eyes, so I pushed my hands against the table and stood. “Ma,” I whispered as I crossed the space between us and pulled her into a hug.
She waved away my words but didn’t fight me as I held her close. “I was just so worried about you, and now Christi.”
“I know,” I whispered, hating that I’d stressed my mother out this much. We didn’t have the closest relationship, I had Kevin to thank for that. But I never wanted her to worry or stress out over me. Especially when she already had so much going on in her life. “I’ll be fine.”
She squeezed me tight before she let me go. The coffee machine had finished filling her cup, so she stepped around me and grabbed it. I got a mug down from the cupboard and placed it under the coffee machine spout when I stopped.
Was coffee good for the baby?
My stomach churned as I realized that I didn’t really know anything about being pregnant or what was going to happen to me. A wave of inferiority washed over me. I wasn’t ready to be a mom yet. Not while my relationship with Kevin was so rocky. Not without a stable foundation to bring the baby home to.
I was going to have to tell Kevin…I was going tohaveto tell Kevin.
“Juniper, you okay?” Mom’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as she appeared in my line of sight.
I blinked a few times willing myself to calm down. Once Mom and Dad were gone, I could freak out. Not before.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I whispered as I leaned against the counter next to me.
“You’re as white as a ghost,” she said.
My head was swimming and my ears felt clogged. I closed my eyes and folded my arms in an effort to give myself some deep, physical input.
“I don’t think I ate enough yesterday,” I mumbled.
“Juniper!” Mom’s voice was one of exasperation and concern. “You need to be taking care of yourself.” I heard the fridge open, but I didn’t open my eyes to see what she was getting out. “Oh, Boone. I hope we didn’t wake you up.”
My body tensed at the sound of Boone’s name. He was awake.
“Can you grab a chair and help Juniper? She’s feeling lightheaded—hypoglycemic—because she didn’t eat enough yesterday.”
There was a quick sound of a chair being pulled out from the table, and then silence until, suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm and the warmth of Boone’s chest as he bumped into my shoulder. I didn’t fight him as he guided me over to the table. “The chair is behind you,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
I kept my eyes slammed shut as I nodded and allowed him to help me onto the chair. I leaned forward, keeping my head down and my eyes closed tight as I took in deep breaths. I was going to have to get used to this nausea. If my pregnancy was anything like my mother’s, I should clean the toilet today ’cause I was going to spend a lot of time next to it.
“Good lord, woman.” Dad’s voice was panicked. “Why are you making breakfast? We’re going to be late to the airport if we don’t leave now.”
“Rich, your daughter is nauseous. I need to make her some eggs and toast.”
I heard Dad’s signature shuffle as he approached me.
“Morning, Boone,” he said.
I tipped my head to the side. Was Boone still standing next to me? Why? The questions were forced from my mind with the feeling of Dad’s hand on my shoulder.
“Are you sick, Juniper?”
I shook my head. “Just a little nauseous. Give me a piece of cheese and I should be fine,” I said even though the thought of cheese made my stomach churn.
